Emotional Lexicon

In the spirit of Spaciology and Space as Metaphor, the words in the Emotional Lexicon hold the tension, beauty, and wisdom of seemingly opposite feelings. These words are inspired by Indigenous, ecological, and non-Western concepts, as well as metaphors from nature, space, and movement. Each term is practical, accessible, and ready for use in everyday dialogue.

The Words

Braidease
Definition & Construction The comfort found in holding together conflicting truths or feelings—relief in complexity. (Braid + Ease)
Embodied Example Naming my ambivalence brought a sense of braidease.
Inspiration Braiding, relational fields, Spaciology’s both/and
Encylopedia Conections Narrative Shift, Internal Space
Calmstorm
Definition & Construction The paradoxical peace found at the center of emotional upheaval—grief with acceptance, anxiety with clarity. (Calm + Storm)
Embodied Example In the midst of the crisis, a calmstorm settled over me.
Inspiration Storms with calm centers, Ubuntu’s communal holding
Encyclopedia Connections Sacred Grief, Internal Space
Dawnrow
Definition & Construction The gentle ache of new beginnings tinged with the sadness of what’s ending—hope and melancholy at the threshold. (Dawn + Sorrow)
Embodied Example Graduation brought a dawnrow I couldn’t quite name.
Inspiration Dawn/dusk, liminality, Indigenous rites of passage
Encyclopedia Connections Emergence Over Control, 
Sacred Grief
Echohold
Definition & Construction The sense of holding space for what is gone and what remains, like echoes in a canyon—absence and presence together.
Embodied Example Missing someone while feeling their presence.
Inspiration Canyon echo, relational space, memory
Encyclopedia Connections Sacred Grief,
Listening as Love
Ecliptia
Definition & Construction The awe and disquiet of joy shadowed by sorrow, as when a bright moment is suddenly eclipsed by loss. (Eclipse + Euphoria)
Embodied Example There was ecliptia in the celebration, knowing it was our last night together.
Inspiration Celestial eclipses, light/shadow, Japanese mono no aware
Encyclopedia Connections Sacred Grief, 
Narrative Shift
Flowstill
Definition & Construction The state of being in motion and at rest simultaneously, like a river’s eddy—movement and stillness together.
Embodied Example Meditating while feeling energy within.
Inspiration River current & still pool, active receptivity, contemplative traditions
Encyclopedia Connections Active Receptivity,
Internal Space
Frostfire
Definition & Construction The simultaneous experience of passion and restraint, warmth and coldness—like fire beneath ice. (Frost + Fire)
Embodied Example Their reunion was pure frostfire: longing and hesitation entwined.
Inspiration Fire/ice, eros/thanatos, Taoist yin-yang
Encyclopedia Connections Boundaries as Compassion, 
Internal Space
Luminumbra
Definition & Construction The bittersweet awareness of beauty and impermanence—joy and loss illuminated together. (Lumen [light] + Umbra [shadow])
Embodied Example The wedding was filled with luminumbra—so much love, and the ache of time passing.
Inspiration Light/shadow, mono no aware, wabi-sabi
Encyclopedia Connections Sacred Grief, 
Narrative Shift
Nestalgia
Definition & Construction The longing for a place or time that is both comforting and unreachable—belonging and loss entwined. (Nest + Nostalgia)
Embodied Example Returning home after years abroad, I felt a deep nestalgia.
Inspiration Indigenous hiraeth, saudade, home/away
Encyclopedia Connections Internal Space, 
Sacred Grief
Orendawn
Definition & Construction The quiet power of hope and agency in the face of uncertainty—courage and vulnerability at the edge of the unknown. (Orenda + Dawn)
Embodied Example Starting the new project, I was filled with orendawn.
Inspiration Huron orenda, new beginnings, collective emergence
Encyclopedia Connections Emergence Over Control, 
Presence Over Prediction
Rootrest
Definition & Construction The sensation of being deeply rooted yet yearning for movement or change, like a tree in winter—restlessness and groundedness together.
Embodied Example Feeling at home while longing for adventure.
Inspiration Tree roots & seasons, ecological cycles, Indigenous wisdom
Encyclopedia Connections Rooted Decision-Making, 
Internal Space
Stillrush
Definition & Construction The sensation of deep stillness and urgent movement coexisting—anticipation held in patient waiting. (Stillness + Rush)
Embodied Example Before the performance, I felt a stillrush in my chest.
Inspiration River flow, active receptivity, contemplative traditions
Encyclopedia Connections Active Receptivity, 
Presence Over Prediction
Tidejoy
Definition & Construction The feeling of joy rising and falling within sorrow, like tides that bring both gifts and loss.
Embodied Example Smiling through tears at a farewell.
Inspiration Ocean tides, cyclical time, Indigenous water metaphors
Encyclopedia Connections Sacred Grief, 
Listening as Love